Cemetery ladies in a clever comedy play at Kenilworth theatre

The Cemetery Club by Ivan Mitchell tells the tale of Lucille (Lorna Spenser), Ida (Elaine Freeborn) and Doris (Liz Brooks), who meet every month at Ida’s house in New York for tea, before taking a trip to the cemetery to gossip with their late husbands.

Each woman is different: Lucille a flamboyant swinger, Doris a traditional matronly widow and Ida is somewhere in between. But a meeting with butcher Sam, who is at the cemetery to visit his late wife’s grave, prompts the three women to question whether they are happy with their lives as they are.

The play, which opened on Broadway in New York in 1990, was adapted into a film by Bill Duke in 1993 starring Olympia Dukakis, Ellen Burstyn and Dianne Ladd.

The Talisman’s production, which is on at the theatre in Barrow Road from tonight (Monday April 14) until Saturday April 19, is directed by Mick Ives, who said: “When I saw this script, I saw a clever but easily enjoyed piece, with great lines coming at break-neck speed that would also be a joy to direct.”

The show will be stage-managed by Wendy McClay, with lighting and sound design by Pete Weston and Dik Thacker.

Performances start at 7.30pm each evening. Tickets cost between £7 and £8.50. To book, call 856548.